Water closet



Oct. 7; 1941. c H JOHNSON I 2,258,454

WATER CLOSET Filed Sept. 9, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I III Oct. 7, 1941.

c. H. JOHNSON 2,258,454

WATER CLOSET Filed Sept. 9, 1939 5 SheetS-SheetZ Oct. 7, 1941. c. H. JOHNSON WATER CLOS E T 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed ep 1959 Czar/cam 15f Ja z/Z Oct. 1941- c. H. JOHNSON 2,258,454

WATER CLOSET Filed Sept. 9, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 LNEEEE. 9, lasma. W

Oct. 7, 1941. vc. H; JOHNSON 'WATER CLOSET F 'il ed Sept. 9, 1939 5 Sheets- Sheet 5 Patented Oct. 7, 1941 NT OFFICE WATER oitosn'r Clarence Johnson, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Pullman-Standard Car Manufacturing Company, Chicago, llL, a corporation of Delaware Appiication September 9, 1939, Serial No. 294,045

so Claims.

This invention relates to water closets for railway cars involving the use of an upper dumping pan and a bottom closure member with operating mechanism therefor designed to effect full closing of the bottom closure member before initiating the dumping action of the upper pan and the return movements of such members in reverse sequence, whereby the initial opening movement of the bottom closure member is delayed until the upper dumping pan is restored to fully closed, normal position.

The invention also contemplates the restoration of the flushing mechanism for the water closet to its normal, non-flushing condition in the event that the upper pan is prevented from returning to normal, closed position, or the bottom closure member either to normally open or closed position, orboth members aiiected simultaneously by an obstruction in the closet, thereby to prevent draining of the water supply tank,

The principal object of the invention is to provide a compact operating mechanism having lost motion mechanism between the upper pan and the bottom closure member adapted to afford sequential operation of such members in the order desired.

Specifically, the invention has for its object the provision of a rack and pinion mechanism adapted to aiford lost motion to effect the actuation of the bottom closure member prior to actuation of the upper pan and lost motion adapted to provide for continued movement of the mechanism after the bottom member is actuated to eilect the actuation of the upper pan.

The foregoing and other and more specific objects of the invention are attained by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of the hopper and operating mechanism With parts broken away better to show the flushing valve operating arrangement;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational View of the hopper with the operating mechanism in normal position with the upper pan closed and the bottom closure member open;

Fig. 3 is a similar mechanism operated to a point where both the bottom closure member are disposed in fully closed position;

Fig. 4. is still another side eievational view of the hopper with the mechanism further operated to its final, extreme position of movement with the upper pan in the fully open or dumping position and the bottom closure member still fully closed and from which position the parts then assume the position illustrated in Fig. 2, in which position the lower chamber is permitted to empty; I

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View through the center of the hopper taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1 with the operating parts in normal position and illustrating the hopper construction;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, transverse, sectional view through the center of the hopper, taken on the line 5-6 of Fig. 2, with the parts in normal position and further illustrating the hopper construction;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary, sectional view of the upper pan shaft mounting and mechanism and the bottom closure member mount- Fig. 8 is a sectional View through the intermediate operating shait taken on the line 88 of Fig. 7 and showing the spiral spring arrangement for providing a lost motion connection between the upper pan and the bottom closure member;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the upper pan shaft taken on the line ii-9 of Fig. 7 and; showing the spiral spring arrangement for urging the upper pan toward closed position;

Fig. 10 is a detail, perspective view of the operating rack;

Fig. 11 is a detail, perspective view of the upper pan, operating shaft and pinion and the counterbalancing spring;

Fig. 12 is a detail, perspective view of the bottom closure member, lost-motion spring and counterbalance; and

Fig. 13 is a detail, perspective View of the rack-engaging, intermediate pinion.

In the drawings, l0 represents a water closet constructed in accordance with the invention and including the base member II having outwardly extending bottom flange 52 which may be reinforced, if desired, by ring member 13 to prevent distortion thereof when secured to uneven supporting surfaces. The base tapers upwardly, as at id, to a point intermediate the height of the water closet where it is provided with a vertically disposed flange l5 continuous about the perimeter and having a horizontal top surface. A chute member I1 is disposed within the base member I l and secured at the position of the vertical flange l5 by welding. The chute is tapered downwardly to a bottom opening and is provided with a recess l8 in the rearmost wall for a .purpose hereinafter to appear. The flange I5, with the top edge of the chute ll, provides a throat into which housing member [6 is received and adapted to be secured by welding-one series of continuous spot welds securing the three thicknesses of metal comprising the flange E5, the chute l1 and the housing member Iii. Above the point of attachment to the flange l5 and the chute member, the rear wall [9 of the member IS extends substantially vertically, while the respective side walls 26 flare outwardly above that point, and the front wall 2| is also flared, to a substantially greater degree, to provide an extended front. The side walls are each provided with a recess 22 having a horizontally disposed top surface perforated at 23 for a purpose hereinafter to be described. At the top, the housing member 18 is provided with an outwardly extending flange 24 continuous about the upper edge and disposed on a horizontal plane to provide a seat. The housing member l6 and the base member H, together with the chute ll, all integrally secured together, comprise the stand portion of the water closet. The base and chute members are each of them formed from a single, integral piece of metal drawn to the desired shape, but the housing member is developed from a single blank of metal, of the desired contour, having a vertically disposed, interlocking, welded seam 34 inthe rear wall and pressed to the required shape. The horizontal seat afforded by the top flange 24 on the housing member IE is embraced by a sealing gasket 25 which may be of rubber, if desired, or any other suitable material.

Seated upon the gasket 25 is the bowl 26 of the water closet having the horizontally disposed shelf portion 21 complemental to and supported from the seat afforded on the stand. The bowl is provided with an extended front corresponding to that of the stand and, from the shelf portion 2! inside the stand, tapers down to a discharge opening emptying into the chute IT. From the shelf 21 upwardly, the bowl extends vertically a short distance, as at 23, and then is provided with an inwardly extending flange 29 to provide the rim 39. gated opening 3| having curved edges, as at 32, and is provided with an overhanging portion 33 at the rear for the support of mechanism presently to be described. At opposite sides, in positions complementing the recesses22 in the respective side walls of the stand, the bowl is provided with projections 35 integral with the sides of the bowl and adapted to receive bolts 36 entered through the openings 23 in the top surface of the recess 22 securely proper sealing relation to the stand.

Flushing mechanism is provided for the water closet and is supported wholly from the bowl and rim structure, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 5. A supporting bracket 45 is secured to the overhanging rim structure 33 by means of seat hinge bolts 41 and is formed with depending flanges 48 disposed at opposite sides to provide spaced bearings for the reception of the hollow operating shaft 49. 'An operating lever 50 is pressed onto one end of the shaft 49 and secured by azpin.39 and bears against one side of one of the depending flanges 48, thereby to prevent displacement of the shaft with respect to the flange in one direction. A bifurcated actuating cam 51 is securely anchored on the operating shaft at theopposite side of the depending flange referred toby means of set screw 52 and serves to prevent movement of the shaft in the opposite direction, where by axial displacement thereof is The-rim is provided with the elonto retain the bowl 25 in positively prevented. The bifurcated jaws of the cam 5! are adapted to engage the ball-shaped end 53 of bell-crank lever 54 which is pivoted on integral stud 55 depending from the underside of the supporting bracket 46 and the bifurcated arm 58 of which engages the operating plunger 51 of the flushing valve 58 to change the rotary motion of the cam 51 into a horizontal thrust on the valveplunger when the operating lever 50 is actuated. The free end of the plunger 5'! finds bearing in a flanged bracket member 59 secured to the flushing valve 58 by means of screws taking the studs 60 integral therewith. The bifurcated arm 56 of the bell-crank 55 engages bearing block Bl on the plunger 51 in order to actuate that member.

The flushing valve 58 is mounted from flange .63 depending from the rear of the supporting bracket 56 by means of securing nuts taking integral studs B l on the valve body. The valve is connected to a source of water supply, at 65, and communicates with the interior of the closet bowl 26 by means of an intervening T-shaped member 66 secured to the bowl at 61 and to which the flushing valve is connected at 68. The T member 66 is provided with one spout 69 adapted to direct flushing water into the area of the rim of the bowl on the shelf 21 and another spout H] adapted to direct water in the same direction into the bowl 26, whereby an effective whirling action of the water is set up thoroughly to flush the closet. A tray H, supported at its free end from one of the studs 64 by means of the securing nut, extends beneath the flushing valve 53 to collect any moisture dripping therefrom and drains into the closet stand as at 12. A top cover plate 39, secured by screw 38, conceals the mechanism from view. The flushing mechanism is actuated coincidentally with the operation of operating mechanism for the upper dumping pan and bottom closure member, as hereinafter described, by means of treadle E l-.fulcrumed intermediate its ends at on fulcrum bracket l3here shown as supported directly from the :floor independently of the closet stand.

One end of the treadle F4 is pivotally connected, at 42, with a strut M which, in turn, is pivotally connected, at A3, to the flushing mechanism operating lever 56, whereby, upon depression of the foot-engaging portion of the treadle, causing an upward thrust onthe-strut M, the shaft 59 will be rotated to cause the cam 5| to actuate the bell-crank E l, thereby to press the plunger 51 of the flushing valve and flush the closet. The location of the fulcrum i3 with respect tothe ratio of the length of the lever 14 upon opposite sides thereof, together with the height of the fulcrum above the floor, will, of course, determine the length of travel of the operating parts; and bodily shifting of the fulcrum and treadle lever fore and aft, thereby increasing the angle of the strut 44, will determine the range of operationall in accordance with requirements of the various flushing valves differing slightly in dimension and operation. A resilient bumper M) is disposed on the underside of the treadle at the foot-engaging portion to prevent metallic contact with the floor or supporting surface and serves asa limit of movement for the operating mechanism. The treadle mechanism is used asa gauge in initially installing the arrangement. When it is desired to locate the fulcrum bracket 13, the ,strut 44 is secured to the valve operating lever 58 by the connection 43 and the treadle I4 then pivoted about the fulcrum I3 to a position with the bumper 48 contacting the floor. The bracket I3, with the lever I4, is then shifted to a position where the maximum range of operation of the particular flushing valve is obtained, and secured. By disconnecting the drip tray H and the connection 43 and a connection I39 to the operating mechanism, it will be seen that the entire flushing mechanism can be removed with the bowl 26, from which it is wholly supported, without disturbing any of the other mechanism.

An upper dumping pan I5 is provided which, in the normal position, is adapted to seal the discharge opening 88 from the closet bowl 26; and a bottom closure member 85 is provided which, in its closed position, is adapted to seal the bottom drain opening 98 from the chute I1. The upper pan is insulated, as at I8, the insulation being enclosed by outer shell TI. The dumping pan I5 is actuated by means of the hollow upper shaft 8| to which the pan is anchored by means of attaching bracket I8 through the medium of set screws I9. The shaft 8I is pivotally carried in spaced bearing members 82 and 83 disposed adjacent opposite ends thereof and separate from but fixedly secured in the respective side walls 28 of the closet stand immediately above the joinder of the base II with the chute I1 and housing member I8 by means of similar nuts 84 clamping the side walls between similar shoulders 85, on the respective bearings, and the nuts. The bearing 83 is provided with an outwardly disposed seat 87 upon which a torsional spring 88 is mounted and the inner end of which is anchored thereto by flange 89 entered in slot 99. The outer end of the spring is connected by rebent flange 9|, through slot IN, to circumferential flange 92 of disk 93 enclosing the spring and having integral hub 94 securely anchored to the shaft BI by means of set screw 95 for rotation therewith. The tension on the spring 88 may readily be adjusted merely by winding up the spring by means of the member 98 to the desired degree before setting the screw 95. The amount of spring tension necessary is determined solely by the force required to counterbalance the dumping pan T5 in closed position. Thus, it will be seen that since the bearing 83 of which the spring seat 81 is an integral part is rigidly fixed the spring 88 will exert a force on the member 93 tending to rotate the shaft 8i; and by the direction of the coils of the spring, it will be noted that this force is exerted to rotate the shaft in a direction to urge the dumping pan towards fully closed position against limit stop 98 where it is normally maintained. Disc washer 91, seated against collar 98 on the bearing 83, encloses the inner side of the spring 88.

The bottom closure member 85 is provided with spaced stub shafts or trunnions I82 offset from the plane of such member, whereby the axis cf operation is disposed above the floor line and the bottom member therebeneath and by means of which the member is pivotally mounted in spaced bearing members I 93 and I 89 separate from but fixedly secured in the respective side walls of the base member II by means of similar nuts I84 clamping such side walls between shoulders -I85, on the respective bearings, and the nuts. The bearing I89 is provided with a bottom base flange II8 seated on flange I2 of "I 26 coextensive with the closet base II and a web III extending upwardly for a purpose hereinafter to appear and having an inwardly directed top flange I I2 bearing against the side wall of the base II. A counterweight I86 is securely anchored to the outer end of one of the stub shafts I02 by means of set screw I81 in a position tending to urge the bottom closure member toward open position where it is normally held. .A resilient bumper I88 is disposed on the underside of the counter weight to deaden the sound of operation and comes in contact with bottom flange I2 of the base II to limit the opening movement of the member 85. While the side walls of the housing I8 and the base II, in which the shafts 8| and I 82, respectively, are mounted, are disposed at an angle to such shafts, it will be noted, as best shown in Fig. 7, that such walls are provided with parallel portions at right angles to the axes of the respective shafts for attachment of the shaft bearing members 82, 83,. I83 and I89.

The operating mechanism for the dumping pan 15 and the bottom closure member 85 is designed for sequential operation of those members and coincidentally with the flushing operation, with the bottom closure member first coming fully closed against the chute opening 98 before the dumping pan begins to move away from its seat against stop 96 to expose the discharge opening 80. The bottom closure member 85 is operated directly from the treadle 74 through mechanism including the strut 44 and separately from the dumping pan I5. The stub shaft I82, extending through the bearing I89, is provided on its exposed end with a segmental pinion I 20 fixedly secured thereto by set screw I 2| and having gear teeth I22 by means of which the bottom member 85 may be actuated. The teeth I 22 are disposed in constant mesh with complemental gear teeth I23 on an intermediate pinion assembly I24 mounted upon an outwardly extending, intermediate shaft II 3 secured to the web II I by means of an integral, smaller diameter, countersunk end rivet portion II 4. The pinion I24 is an assembly comprised of the hollow cylinder I28, having integral hub and having bearing II9 pivotally mounted on the shaft I I3, and a complemental operating member I25 having bearing II 8 pivotally mounted with respect to the member I 28 on the hub I 28 thereof and having an extended hub I32 entered within the cylinder I28, together with an intervening torsional spring I27. The torsional spring is disposed within the hollow cylinder I28 about the hub I32 and anchored at its outer end to the perimeter of the cylinder by means of rebent flange I3I engageable with shoulder I38 formed by the gear segment I28. At its inner end, the spring I21 is anchored to the hub I32 on operating member I25 by means of flange I84 entered within slot I 33.

The operating member I25 is provided with an integral, laterally extending lug I35 projecting into the path of movement of the gear seg ment I29 and against which such segment normally bears under the influence of spring I21. The intermediate pinion assembly I24 provides a positive means of initially actuating the bottom closure member 85 to closed position and thereafter affords lost motion means to absorb the continued movement necessary to operation of the dumping pan I5, as will hereinafter appear, The cylinder I28, operating member I 25 and the spring I21 may-be assembled as a separate unit prior to mounting'upon the intermediate shaft II3, and the spring may be adjusted to any desired degree of tension'm'erely by relative rotation of the opposiing parts in a direc tion to wind up the spring and thereby to cause the cylinder I28 with its integral gear segment I29, in operation, to move in unison with the operating member I-25 to actuate the bottom closure member 85. The adjustment of the spring is maintained by the engagement of the segment I29 with-the lug I35 under pressure of the spring. The cylinder-I28, by means of hub I26, -is mounted upon the shaft II3, freely, for relative rotation with respect thereto; and the operating member IE is mounted upon the hub I26 for relative rotation therebetween, whereby the whole mechanism is disposed infloating relation to the'intermediate shaft I-I3-which;ac,ts merely as the fixed axis for thepivotal operation thereof. The operating member I 25'is provided with an annular-bearing surface I #36 having a segmental portion containing gear teeth I41 disposed within the outercircumference of the annular bearing and adapted to co-operate with a rack Hi8 having an opening I59 of a 'width closely to receive the operating member and engage the annular bearing I45. The opening I49, on one side, is provided with gear teeth I55 projecting into the opening and adapted constantly to mesh with the inset teeth I41 .on the operating member, as best shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. The close engagement between the rack opening I 49 and the annular bearing I45 maintains the gear teeth I55 and Hi? in constant mesh. The rack I48 is held in operative engagement with the-operating member I25 by means of a disk washer I45 secured in place by a slotted-head screw IM threaded into the exposed end of the intermediate shaft II3. By means of the screw and disk Hi4 and I 45, the pinion assembly I24 is also maintained in operative association and upon the shaft H3 against a bearing embossment on the web III. disk I5I on the operating member prevents the spring IZI from escaping from the cylinder I28.

The rack I48, and therefore the operating member I25,is actuated directly from the treadle "M and, for this purpose, is provided with an integral, vertically projecting lug I36 by means of which the rack may be operated through the medium of a connecting link I3! extending between the lug I56, to which it is pivotally secured by fastening means I38, and the flushing mechanism operating lever 55, to which it is pivotally secured by fastening means I39 and which is operated directly'by the strut t; from the treadle M, whereby the link I37 rovides a means of operating the rack and the operating member I25 coincidentall with the flushing mechanism upon depression of the trea'dle I4. Theconnecting link, where it associates with the fastening means I39 on the l ver 58, is provided with a slot I43 for a purpose hereinafter to appear. Thus, it will be seen that upon actuation of the treadle the initial movement causes the bottom closure member 85 immediately to assume its fully closed position in sealing relation to the drain opening 95 from the chute IT. The immediate response of the bottom closure member to the flushing action occurs prior to any movement whatever of the upper dumping pan I5 and is necessary to prevent the possibility of a draft from the opening 90 through the discharge An integral opening as would occur if the upper pan opened before or during the raising or lowering movements of the bottom closure member; and, during this-initial movement, the operating member I25 and the cylinder I28 move in unison as though they were a single, integral member. The rack I48 is designed also to operate the dumpingpan I 5 and for this purpose is provided with a second opening I52 for co-operation with a segmental pinion I40 fixedly secured on the upper pan shaft M by means of a set screw I42 threaded through the bearing hub MI. The pinion I 50 is similar to the operating member I25 in that it is .provided with an annular bearing I53 having gear teeth I54 disposed within the outer circumference thereof and adapted to be closely received within the opening I52, with the gear teeth in operative association with complemental gear teeth I15 projecting from one side of the opening and meshing with the teeth 5 55, afterthe bottom closure member 85 has reached its sealing position with respect to opening and upon continued movement of the operating parts, thereby to rotate the shaft 8I and dump the pan I5 which empties into the chute II as the pan enters the recess I8 provided in the rear wall of the chute for that purpose. The rack I 38 is maintained in co-operative relation with the pinion I40 by means of a disk washer I'IZ secured to the shaft 8I by a slotted screw H3 threaded into a bushing II4 sweated into the end of the hollow pan shaft. The close engagement between the walls of the opening I52 and the annular bearing I53 maintains the proper relation therebetween for engagement of the gear teeth I70 and I54.

During the continued movement of the operating parts necessary to operate the dumping pan after the bottom closure member 85 reaches its final position, the cylinder I28, with its segment I29 for operating the bottom closure member, remains fixed in the final position of movementto close such member, while the operating member I25 continues to rotate relatively thereto under the influence of the rack teeth I50 in mesh with the teeth I4! and against the increasing tension of the torsional spring I2I as the lug I35 moves away from the segment I29,

at which time the spring is wound more tightlyduring such relative rotation of the parts and, upon release of the operating pressure, unwinds again to the point where the lug I35 regains contact with the segment I29. The gear teeth Il'IJ onthe rack are out of mesh with the teeth I54 on the upper shaft pinion I49 when the parts are in their normal position with the pan I5 closed .and the member 85 open and do not engage such teeth until after the bottom closure member has reached its sealing position beneath opening '91! by reason of the fact that, while gear teeth I55 are continuous along one side of rfack opening I49 to provide constant engagement with pinion I24, the gear teeth IIfi extend only a portion of the distance along one side of rack opening I52leavi-ng a space I 'II which must -be traversed before the first tooth on the rack engages the teeth I54 onthe pinion I40 to operate the pan 55.

The sequential operation of the mechanism in its various progressive positions assumed during the fiushingperiod is best depicted in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. In Fig. 2, all of the parts, including the flushing mechanism, are shown in their normal positionof rest with the dumping pan I5 fully closed and the bottom closure member 85 fully open. The segment I 29 is seated against the lug I35, and the rack teeth I19 are spaced from the upper pan pinion teeth I54 with the rack teeth I59 in constant mesh with the intermediate pinion teeth I41 and the gear teeth I22 and I23 on the bottom closure member and cylinder I 28, respectively, of course in constant mesh. When it is desired to flush the closet, it is necessary merely to step upon the treadle 14 which pivots about the fulcrum 13 to exert an upward thrust on the strut 44 and thereby actuate the lever 59 to operate the flushing valve 58 by means of the cam I and bell-crank 55. The pan and member 85 are operated sequentially by the treadle 14 and strut 44 coincidentally with the operation of the flushing mechanism by reason of the operative connection I31 between the rack I48 and the lever 50. Therefore, the same upward thrust of the strut 44 causes the connecting link I31 to raise the rack I48 and thereby rotate the operating member I in a direction to cause the gear segment I23 on cylinder I28, through the medium of spring I21, to rotate the pinion gear segment I25 and move the bottom closure member 85 into sealing relation with opening 99 by means of the engagement between gear teeth I23 and I22, as shown in Fig. 3. During this initial movement, the pan 15 has not moved from its closed position in sealing relation with the discharge opening 84, but the rack I 43 has moved to a position where the teeth I19 will engage the pinion teeth I54 immediately after the member :85 reaches closed position. As shown in Fig. 3,

it will be seen that both the dump pan 15 and bottom closure member 85 are in fully closed position, while contact with the pinion teeth I54 has not yet been made by the rack teeth I19; but the segment I29 on cylinder I28 is still in engagement with the lug I35. When the engagement between the rack teeth I 19 and pinion teeth I54 occurs, a positive, direct operating connection is made between the treadle mechanism and shaft 8 I, thereby to dump the pan 15.

Contact between the segment I29 and lug I is maintained during the initial movement by spring I21 up to that point in the operation when the member 85 contacts the chute I1, thus acting rigidly to close the bottom closure member; and when that point is reached, the lug I35 moves away from the segment I29 as the rack teeth I19 engage the pinion teeth I54 to rotate the shaft 5I and dump the pan 15 upon continued movement of the rack I48 under influence of the treadle mechanism-thus acting flexibly to afford the continued movement to open the dump pan. During such continued movement, the pinion segment I29 remains in its final position of rotation in closing the member 85, while the spring I21 compensates for the relative rotation between the parts I25 and I28; and the tension thereon is gradually increased as the operating member I25 is rotated by the rack I48 during thedumping of the pan 15. The final dumping position of the upper pan 15 is illustrated in Fig. 4, at which time the pan enters the recess It provided therefor in the rear wall of chute I1 while the bottom closure member 55 remains in sealing relation to chute opening 55. In this figure, it will be noted thatthe pinion segment I29 is still in its final position of movement, while the operating member I25 has been rotated by the rack I28 to its final position with the lug I35 spaced from the segment I29 and the gear teeth I15 fully meshed with the 125, that pinion teeth I54 in the final position of the pinion I4II with the spring I21 wound up to its greatest degree of tension under normal conditions. The treadle 14 has moved to its extreme position with the bumper 49 bearing against the floor, and the flushing mechanism has attained full flushing force-sending water through the nozzles 69 and II! into the bowl 25 to be drained through discharge opening 89 into the chute chamber I1, after which, when treadle 14 is released all of the operating parts are restored to their normal position in directly reverse sequence with the pan 15 first closing completely under influence of its spring 38 before the bottom closure member 55 under influence of counterweight I55 and the weight of material in chute I1 is opened to release the contents from the chute I1 through opening 99, at which time the parts have again assumed the position shown in Fig. 2.

While the dumping operation of the pan 15 and the initial operation of the bottom closure member takes place coincidentally with the operation of the flushing mechanism, the, release of each mechanism is accomplished independently of the other; and the speed with which the flushing mechanism returns to none flushing condition is not dependent upon or affected by the time required for the dump pan and bottom closure member operatingv parts to return to normal position after the pressure has been released from treadle 14. By means of slot I43 in the connecting link I31 at the connection I 39 to the lever 55 in combination with the floating type mounting of the intermediate pinion assembly I24, the flushing mechanism is adapted to return to non-flushing condition even though, the operating parts for the pan 15 and the bottom closure member 85 might, for some reason, be prevented from returning to their normal position of rest, whereby continuous operation of the flushing valve and consequent draining of the water supply tank (not shown) is prevented. It will be seen that by reason of the floating connnection of the operating member member, after having been operated to its extreme position of movement in dumping the pan 15, will return at least to a position where the lug I55 will contact the gear segment I29 under the influence of spring I21; and in the event that the member 35 for some reason is prevented from opening, that position will be as shown in Fig. 3 with the pinion cylinder I28 prevented from returning fully to its normal position of rest by the engagement between the gears I22 and I23. With the operating member I25 having reached this position, the flushing mechanism then may return to fully released, nonflushing position by reason of the slotted engagement I43 of the connecting link I31 with the connection I39 on the lever 55. Even though both the bottom closure member 85 and the dump pan 15 be prevented from returning to their respective normal positions-i. e., the member 85 prevented from opening and the pan 15 prevented from closing, the flushing mechanism will be released as above described. By having the floating type mounting of the intermediate pinion assembly I24 and the loose connection between the upper pan shaft pinion I49 and the rack I48, the dump pan 15 may remain in any position, becauseof an obstruction, without aifecting the return of the flushing mechanism to released position. The pan 15 may be pressed open with a hose or the like for cleaning purposes, against the resistance offered by the balancing spring 88?, without operating either the bottom closure member 85 or the flushing mechanism; and, likewise, the bottom closure member 85 may be swung through its complete arc-of travel or obstructed at any point without affecting the operation of either the pan E or the-flushing mechanism. In the event that the bottom closure member 85 should become ob structed and fail to close, the compensating action of the spring I27 will still permit dumping of the pan i5 and operation of the flushing mechanism.

It isto be noted that while the springs 88 and m are wound up simultaneously in the operation of the pan 15,- they do not function in opposition one to the other but operate separatelyeach performing'its own function independently of the other;

It will be understood that the intermediate pinion assembly might be dispensed with and the lost-motion arrangement thereof incorporated. directly in the lower pinion for association with the rack without departing from the inventi'on;

From the foregoing, it will be seen that there has been provided a water closet and operating m'e'chanism'in which compensating action is provided" for all possible conditions adversely affecting the operation of the'mechanism, whereby the flushing mechanism. is rendered operative at all times.

What is' claimedfis:

1.. A water" closetincluding a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated' with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; ,abottom closure member operatively associatedwith said drain openingand having, an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating. said closure. member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, .a pinion on said-closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating with said last-named pinion, and an actuating rack co-operating with" the first-named pinion and said intermediate pinion.

2. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a dain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with'said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft; a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion. co-operating with Saidlast-rfamedpinion, an actuating raclecooperating withthe first-named pinion and said intermediate pinion, and a lost-motion spring mechanism associated withoneof said pinions.

3. A water closetincluding a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump'pan operatively associated with. said dischargeopening andhaving an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operativelyassociated with said drain opening and having" an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on each of said operatingshafts, an intermediate pinion co-operating with one .ofsaid pinions, and an actuating rack co-operating' with the-other of said pinions and saidinterme'diate pinion, and a lost motion spring mechanism associated with one of said pinions.

4. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operativelyassociated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating with said last-named pinion, and an actuating rack co-operating with the first-named pinion and said intermediate pinion, said intermediate pinion comprising independent gear segments engageable with said rack and secondnamed pinion respectively and connected by a spring'for relative pivotal movement.

5. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; adump pan operatively associated' with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operativelyassociated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentiallyoperating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on each of said operating shafts, an intermediate pinion cooperating with one of said operating shaft pinions, and an actuating rack co-operating with the other of said operating shaft pinions and saidi'ntermediate pinion, one of thepinions comprising independent gear segments connected by means of aispring for relative pivotal movement.

6; A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating saidclosure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on each of said operating shafts, an intermediate pinion cooperating with one of said pinions, andan actuating rack co-operating with the other of said pinions and said intermediate pinion.

'7. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating with said last-named pinion, an actuating rack co-operating with the first-named pinion and said intermediate pinion, and lost motion means-between said rack and first-named pinion for movement of said dump pan independently of said rack.

8; A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand havinga drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating with said last-named pinion, an actuating rack co-operating with the first-named pinion and said intermediate pinion, and lost-motion means between said rack and first-named pinion, said intermediate pinion comprising independent gear segments engageable with said rack and second-named pinion respectively and connected by means of a spring for relative pivotal movement.

9. A Water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; flushing mechanism; a pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating with one of said pinions, an actuating rack co-operating with the other of said pinions and said intermediate pinion, and means for actuating said rack coincidentally with said flushing mechanism.

10. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; flushing mechanism; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening .and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member operating shaft, an intermediate pinion co-operating With one of said pinions, an actuating rack co-operating with the other of said pinions and said intermediate pinion, a lostmotion connection between the rack and said flushing mechanism, and means for actuating said rack coincidentally with said flushing mechanism.

11. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; and means for sequentially operating said closure member and dump pan comprising a pinion on said dump pan operating shaft, a pinion on said closure member i operating shaft, a rack co-operating with said pinions, lost-motion means between said rack and first-named pinion for movement of said dump pan independently of said rack, and lost-motion means between said rack and second-named pinion for movement of the bottom closure member independently of the dump pan.

12. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening, a supporting stand having a drain opening, a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft, a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drain opening and having an operating shaft, a pinion on each of said operating shafts, an intermediate pinion assembly in constant mesh with one of said firstnamed pinions, and a rack member in constant mesh with said assembly and associated with but normally out of mesh with the other of said firstnamed pinions, said intermediate pinion assembly comprising independent gear segments connected by a torsional spring for relative pivotal movement.

13. A water closet including a bowl having a discharge opening, a supporting stand having a drain opening, a dump pan operatively associated with said discharge opening and having an operating shaft, a bottom closure member operatively associated with said drum opening and having an operating shaft, a pinion on each of said operating shafts, an intermediate pinion in constant mesh with one of said first-named pinions, a rack member in constant mesh with said intermediate pinion and associated with but normally out of mesh with the other of said first-named pinions, and lost motion means formovement of the rack after the bottom closure member is closed.

14. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening, a dump pan adapted normally to seal said discharge opening; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening; and means for operating said bottom closure member and dump pan comprising rackand-pinion mechanism having a lost-motion connection with the dump pan affording delayed action thereof.

15. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan adapted normally to seal said discharge opening; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening; and means for operating said bottom closure member and dump pan comprising rack-andpinion mechanism having a loose connection with the dump pan adapted to afford movement thereof independently of such mechanism.

16. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan adapted normally to seal said discharge opening; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening; and means for operating said bottom closure member and dump pan comprising rackand-pinion mechanism having lost-motion connection with the bottom closure member adapted to afford movement of the bottom closure member independently of such mechanism.

1'7. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan adapted normally to seal said discharge opening; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening; and means for operating said. bottom closure member and dump pan comprising rack-and-pinion mechanism havin a lostmotion connection with the dump pan affording delayed action thereof and adapted to afford movement of the dump pan independently of the mechanism, and a lost-motion connection with the bottom closure member affording movement thereof independently of said mechanism.

18. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge opening; a supporting'stand having a drain opening; a dump pan adapted normally to seal said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; a pinion on each of said shafts; and means for operating said bottom closure member and dump pan comprising a rack member engageable with said pinions and having a lost-motion connection with the dump pan pinion affording delayed action of said dump 8 v pan: and adapted to afford movement of the dump panindependently thereof.

19. A water closet having a bowl provided with a discharge'opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump pan adapted normally to seal. said discharge opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom" closure member for association with said drain opening and having an operating, shaft; a pinion associated with each of. saidshafts; and means'for operating said bottom closuremember and dump pan comprising a rack member engageable with said pinions, said pinion assoeiatedwith the bottom closure member including lost-motion means afiording' movement of such member independently: of said operating means.

20; A- water closet having a'bowl providedwith a: discharge opening; a supporting stand having a drain opening; a dump'pan adapted normally to seal said discharge: opening and having an operating shaft; a bottom closure member for association with said drain opening and having an operating shaft; a pinion associated with each of said shafts; and means for operating said bottom closure member and dump pan comprising a rack member engageable with said pinions, said pinion associated with the bottom closure member including lost-motion means aifording movement. of said operating means independently of said member.

CLARENCE H. JOHNSON.

' CERTIFICATE or CORRECTION. Patent No. 2,258, +5h. October 7, 19m.

- CLARENCE H. JOHNSON.

it is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, first 'column, line 75, for "where by" read whereby-- page 14., first column, line I 5, for "opposiing" read -opposing-; page 6, first column, line 50, claim 2,- for "dain" read '-drain; page 7, first column, line 11;, claim 9, before "pan" insert the word -dump; and second column, line 9, claim 15, for "drum" read -drain; and that the said Letters. Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of December, A. D. 1914.1.

Henry Van Arsdale,

(Seal) Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

